How to make the most of your morning: a blog about noise nuisance from Sustainability Service

Nobody likes mornings.

Picture this, it’s a dark rainy morning, you missed the 56 bus and now have the long, slow walk-up Royal Park Road. You can feel yourself breaking into a sweat and still must navigate your way to Level 12 in Roger Stevens.

Not nice right? Now add in your neighbors Echo dot keeping you up blasting The Black Eyed Peas. Anyone with a caffeine addiction will know sleep isn’t just important for your physical health, but a lack of sleep can get expensive. But now this is something not even a pit stop at the LUU coffee van can fix to stop your eyes dropping in your 9am.

So, your lesson? Don’t be that neighbor. #WhereIsTheLove.

Roger Stevens Pond

Seriously though, noise can have severe consequences. Did you know it could actually lead to legal restrictions on visitors to your house? Or that sanctions restrict you from living there for 3–6 months, meaning finding and paying for two homes? Very far from ideal.

We’re not expecting silence, but late night DnB through the walls when you’re trying to sleep just isn’t the vibe.

Use headphones instead of playing the music at full blast.

Here’s some quick tips:

• Save your student loan the noise nuisance fine and go on a night out rather than hosting at home.
• Say hi to your neighbor, introduce yourself and let them know if you are planning to have a few friends over.
• Limit shouting outdoors — the whole street doesn’t need to know your ‘Uber’s here!’.
• Local businesses were shut during a lot of the pandemic and have really struggled. Support local venues by celebrating with them. They’re equipped for it, and it’s better for them, you and your neighbours. Go in and ask, find them on social media or give them a ring — they’ll be glad to help.
• Professional sound systems are too loud; it’s just not possible to keep noise to acceptable levels using professional equipment.
• Save yourself the hassle and minimise noise between 10pm and 8am. (Complaints are more likely between these times, but noise can be a statutory nuisance at any time.)
• To improve your concentration, keep doors and windows closed.
• Keep any music equipment you use away from adjoining walls.
• If you play a musical instrument, agree times to practise with housemates and neighbours. Or use a practice room! There are plenty in the city at very low cost.
• Show respect if a neighbour has asked you to turn it down, it probably took them a lot to come round and say.

If you play a musical instrument, agree times to practise with housemates and neighbours.

A little need to know.

Live in a student popular neighbourhood? You should know that The University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University fund a service run by Leeds City Council that operates between 5pm and 4am addressing noise complaints.

If you receive a noise complaint, officers visit and serve an Abatement Notice which requires noise to stop immediately, typically arriving within 30 minutes of a complaint being made. If you breach this, you are prosecutable in Magistrates Court. This can lead to confiscation of speakers etc., a formal criminal record and even a fine of up to £5000.

But it gets worse… Students found to have been involved in causing noise could attend training, receive fines, suspension or face exclusion.

A lot of hassle for you and others, so save the effort and go to fruity instead.

More information:

More information on the Dedicated Service and the University complaints procedure.

For more information see on noise nuisance click here.

And if you are having problems with noise, find out how to report it.

For more information on Sustainability at the University, see our other blogs or follow our instagram @uol_sus.